Senior Football Championship Group 3 (round one)
Casement’s 1-17 St Mary’s Ahoghill 0-03
Casement’s, having claimed the Division One league title last term posted a statement of intent on the championship trail in their opening game of the 2024 championship when they proved too strong for their near neighbours St Mary’s Ahoghill at Kelly Park on Friday evening.
The Cloney men were a little short handed without James O’ Connell, Boris O’Connell, and Cahir O’ Kane but the visitors were first to employ the score attendant as Patrick Graham raised an early white flag but the home side soon gained in momentum.
Danny Mc Nicholl’s early brace of points saw Casements take the lead and when the former’s delicate cross opened the way for Oisin Doherty to find the net the writing was visible on the wall as early as the 12th minute.
The Clooney side created chances but failed to finish as the home side took control and only an excellent save from net minder Noel Crossey denied Oisin Doherty a second major.
Conan Delargy despatched the resulting ‘45’ between the posts and as the inspirational Dermot Mc Aleese and Caolan Tierney added points apiece, the Bannsider’s move 1-05 to 0-01 ahead by the 20th minute.
The visitors fought hard as the opening period progressed but the home side were dominant in defence with Ruairi Hagen and the Delargy brothers, Niall and Shane leading by example.
Casement’s were hungry for scores at the other end and retained the offensive mode in the latter exchanges of the opening period with points from Aodhan Mc Aleese, Dermot Mc Aleese, and Caolan Tierney to lead 1-08 to 0-01 as the combatants left the field at Half time.
The Home side were first to strike in the second half as an Aodhan Mc Aleese point increased their advantage.
A Ronan Graham point following indiscretion on the hard grafting Danny O’ Neill saw the Clooney men post reply in kind but it failed to herald a come-back with Ronan Kelly despatching a long range point between the posts at the other end.
Ronan Delargy added another to secure a 1-11 to 0-02 lead and the hard grafting Dermot Mc Aleese added to the home sides ever increasing total at the three quarter mark.
As the game progressed into the last quarter Donal Graham replied with a superb long range point in the 47th minute but despite the efforts of the O’ Neill brother brothers, Fionnbar and Danny and James Magee there would be no way back for the Cloney side.
Casements coasted to a win which looked likely from a long way out as Ronan Kelly, 0isin Doherty, the impressive Conal Delargy, Ciaran Mc Kenna, Paddy Kelly and man of the match Dermot Mc Aleese all helped themselves to points in the latter stages to ease their side over the winning line full value for a 1-17 to 0-03 win.
Casements: Kevin Mullan, Niall Delargy, Shane Delargy, Jonny Convery, Danny Mc Nicholl (0-02), Ruairi Hagen, Ryan Convery, Dermot Mc Aleese)(0-03), Stephen Kelly, Conal Delargy (0-03), Caolan Tierney (0-02), Aodhan Mc Aleese (0-03), Oisin Doherty (1-01), Ronan Kelly (0-03), Ronan Delargy (0-01)
Subs
P Kelly
Feargal O’ Kane
Ciaran Mc Kenna
Ahoghill: Noel Crossey, Seamus Mc Keever, James Magee, Hugh O’ Donnell, Fionnbar O’ Neill, Dermot Graham, Patrick Graham (0-01), Tom Mc Glone, Bernard Graham, Danny O’ Neill, Eamon Brady, Donal Graham (0-01, Ronan Graham (0-01), Patrick Dougan, Colla Mc Donnell
Subs: Gerard Graham for Seamus McKeever
Referee: Patrick Tumelty (Lamh Dhearg)
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